Zhao Gongming entered the calamity, and Shen Gongbao's silver tongue failed? (Two chapters combined into one...

After hearing Gungun's words, Nine Li was instantly dumbstruck. Deputy Cult Leader of the Expounding Teaching...

Could he do it?

He had never even considered it before, and his teacher Ran Deng had been doing a fairly good job. If he took over...

Hmm, I suppose I wouldn't do any worse than him, Nine Li thought after some serious consideration.

Sensing the fluctuations in Nine Li's primordial spirit and catching the shift in his emotions, Gungun kept its expression unchanged, but smiled smugly inside.

My dear nephew, your uncle is still your uncle, after all. I'm using you this time, but you'll benefit too. Don't blame your uncle!

That was right. Gungun's true purpose was not to help Nine Li become Deputy Cult Leader of the Expounding Teaching, but to complete Tongtian's assignment perfectly without offending Yuanshi, while also taking care of what it had promised Nuwa back then.

For that, it needed a purpose it could announce publicly: supporting Nine Li.

Once Yuanshi learned afterward that this had been its intention, his affection for Nine Li should keep him from blaming it. As for Ran Deng... who cared about him?

"In any case, it's settled. Just follow my instructions. Stay in the Heavenly Court for now, and don't wander off," Gungun instructed Nine Li. Then it waved its broad paw and summoned the Immortal Maidens to prepare a banquet. It wanted to share a meal with its dear nephew.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" The summoned group of Immortal Maidens curtsied in acknowledgment.

"Uncle..." Nine Li still wanted to say something, but Gungun raised a bear paw to interrupt him. "Your uncle won't hurt you. Trust me!"

Nine Li: "..."

And so, Nine Li was kept in the Heavenly Court by Gungun, while Zhao Gongming swaggered down to the mortal realm